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Export award for Carlisle tyre plant to help boost economy

Pirelli in Carlisle has been hailed as an Export Champion by UK Trade & Investment.

The Export Champion awards are part of a drive by Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green to increase the number of British exporters by a quarter, which would boost the economy by £36bn.

The idea is that Champions will inspire novice exporters to pursue overseas markets.

Five Cumbrian businesses were awarded Champion status this week.

The others are Tata Steel’s projects business in Workington, Hidef Aerial Surveying in Cleator Moor, and Playdale Playgrounds and Wax Lyrical in Ulverston.

Pirelli is investing £9m to increase production at its Dalston Road tyre factory in Carlisle, topped up by £2m from the Government’s regional growth fund.

Much of the output of high-performance and sports-utility-vehicle tyres is exported.

Meanwhile, Simon Nicholson, head of international and trade at Barclays Bank, spoke to Carlisle businesses about exporting last Friday at a round-table event organised by city MP John Stevenson.

Barclays’ research shows that businesses that export grow by almost a third in just two years while 29 per cent see a positive impact on their bottom line within six months.

Almost nine in 10 agree there are other benefits to exporting, such as having greater confidence in the longevity of the business, increased productivity, stronger innovation and a longer life-span for products and services.

Mr Nicholson said: “Winning business overseas is a vitally important way for small and medium-sized enterprises to prosper.

“Our research shows that, in the challenging domestic market, exporting provides attractive new revenue growth boosting the bottom line and supporting job creation.”

Barclays ‘Business Abroad’ package aims to help businesses start trading overseas. It offers free access to expert guidance, workshops and tools, and discounts on international products and services.

Mr Stevenson said: “Export markets are undoubtedly very important to the growth of businesses and the expansion of the UK economy.

“It is encouraging that so many companies in Carlisle have begun to explore the possibilities of trading with business in other countries.”